12th Annual Day of Dialogue Draws Record Audiences

The Center for Civic Engagement’s Day of Dialogue on Wed., Oct. 29, 2014 drew standing-room-only crowds for many of its events, including timely sessions on police and community relations, ISIS, sports and politics, the Gaza crisis, foreign policy, and smart growth. This year’s them was social responsibility and human security.

“Day of Dialogue really gives all of us a chance to learn about issues that maybe we are afraid to talk about or don’t know enough about,” said Clara Schopf ’15, a political science, geography, and sustainability studies triple major who has been a Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) fellow since 2013. “The sessions today really help bring about a further discussion about things that affect us all.”

Special speakers this year included Jason Starr of the New York Civil Liberties Union, political sportwriter Dave Zirin, author and activist Josh Ruebner, and ConsortiumNews.com editor Robert Parry. A panel on the state of civil rights featured Howard Dean and Ed Rollins, senior fellows of the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, and ProPublica reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones.

The annual event, now in its 12th year, features a day-long schedule of talks, panels, and roundtable discussion featuring experts, students, faculty, and community members. Programs are organized by CCE student fellows and graduate assistants under the leadership of co-directors Greg Maney, professor of sociology, and Linda Longmire, professor of global studies. Professors across many academic disciplines also participate as moderators and guest panelists.